Alert LA County
LA County Office of Emergency Management
Emergency alerts by text, email or phone call for your address: evacuations, shelter-in-place and other urgent instructions.
Register your home, work and school addresses.
Sign upResources
Be ready before the call comes.
Wildfires, earthquakes, floods and heat waves are part of life in the Santa Clarita Valley. A few minutes now — signing up for alerts, packing a kit, knowing your evacuation zone — makes the hardest day a lot easier.
Step 1
Sign up for official alerts
Evacuation orders and emergency instructions come from these official systems. Sign up for all of them; they're free.
City of Santa Clarita alerts (Nixle)
City of Santa Clarita
Emergency notifications from the City during fires, storms and other incidents.
Text SCEMERGENCY to 888777, or sign up online.
Sign upSCV Sheriff's Station (Nixle)
LASD Santa Clarita Valley Station
Road closures, public safety notices and community updates from the station.
Text your ZIP code to 888777, or follow the station page.
Station alertsWireless Emergency Alerts
Sent by authorized agencies to all phones
Loud alerts that reach every phone in an area, with no sign-up. Make sure emergency alerts are turned on in your phone's settings.
Also: every LA County notification system in one place.
All county alert options Step 2
Apps worth having
Install these before you need them. Apps marked Official are run by or for public agencies; the others are useful extra eyes, but always follow official instructions.
Evacuation zones
Genasys Protect
LA County's evacuation system. Find your evacuation zone, see live evacuation orders and warnings, and locate shelters.
Wildfires
Watch Duty
Nonprofit wildfire map with fire perimeters, aircraft and updates from radio scanners, run by experienced volunteers. Confirm evacuation orders with official sources.
CPR & incidents
PulsePoint Respond
Used by LA County Fire. Alerts CPR-trained people to a cardiac arrest nearby and shows the closest AEDs. Select LA County Fire as your agency.
Earthquakes
MyShake
Earthquake early warning for California from UC Berkeley, using the USGS ShakeAlert system: seconds of notice to drop, cover and hold on.
Local incidents
Citizen
Crowdsourced alerts about nearby incidents. Useful for awareness, but not an official source. Always follow instructions from agencies.
During an incident
Who to follow for updates
When something is happening, these are the official sources. Rumors spread fast on social media; check here before you share.
City of Santa Clarita
SCV Sheriff's Station
Help & information
Heading into the backcountry?
Trail safety
Most of our callouts start with a hike that ran longer, hotter or darker than planned. Leave a plan with someone, pack the Ten Essentials, and know what to do if you're lost or hurt.
Step 3
Know what to do
The emergencies most likely to affect the Santa Clarita Valley, and what to do before, during and after each. Adapted from the LA County Emergency Survival Guide and Ready.gov.
Wildfire & evacuation
Fire season in the Santa Clarita Valley runs most of the year. Wind-driven fires move fast, and evacuation orders can come with little notice.
Before
- Know your evacuation zone (Genasys Protect) and two ways out of your neighborhood.
- Clear brush and dead plants around your home, and keep flammable plants away from structures.
- Keep a go-bag, important papers and pet carriers ready during Red Flag warnings.
- Park facing out with the keys handy, and know how to open your garage door without power.
During
- Evacuation Warning: get ready to leave. If you have medical needs, limited mobility, pets or large animals, leave now.
- Evacuation Order: leave immediately. Waiting puts you and firefighters at risk.
- Shelter in place: stay indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off air conditioning that brings in outside air.
- Drive with headlights on and never park in the traffic lanes.
After
- Don't return until officials say it is safe.
- Burn areas can flood and send mud and debris downhill with the next rain. Be ready to leave again.
Learn more: Ready.gov: Wildfires · Ready.gov: Evacuation · LA County guide (PDF)
Earthquakes
The valley sits among several active faults and was hard hit in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Shaking can start with only seconds of warning, so plan now.
Before
- Secure water heaters, bookcases and tall furniture to the wall.
- Pick a safe spot in each room: under a sturdy table, away from windows.
- Choose an out-of-state contact and a place for your family to meet.
- Learn how to shut off your gas, water and electricity.
During
- Drop, cover and hold on. Get under a sturdy desk or table and protect your head and neck.
- Outdoors: move to an open area away from buildings, trees and power lines.
- Driving: pull over, stay in the car and avoid bridges and overpasses.
After
- Expect aftershocks.
- Check for gas leaks, and stay away from downed power lines.
- Text instead of calling, so phone lines stay open for emergencies.
Learn more: Ready.gov: Earthquakes · Earthquake Country Alliance · LA County guide (PDF)
Floods & debris flows
Our dry washes, rivers and burn areas can turn dangerous within minutes of heavy rain.
Before
- Know if you live near a creek, wash, steep slope or recent burn area.
- Clear gutters and drains before the rainy season and have sandbags ready.
During
- Never drive or walk through moving water. Turn around.
- Stay out of riverbeds and washes during and after storms.
- Watch for mud, debris and slides, which can happen days after the rain stops.
After
- Stay away from damaged slopes and floodwater.
- Report damaged roads and slopes to LA County Public Works: 800-675-4357.
Learn more: Ready.gov: Floods · LA County guide (PDF)
Extreme heat
Summer temperatures in the valley regularly pass 100°F, and heat illness can become life-threatening quickly.
Before
- Know where to cool off: call 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org for cooling centers.
- Plan outdoor activity for early morning, and check on older neighbors.
During
- Drink water often, before you feel thirsty.
- Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a minute.
- Signs of heat stroke (confusion, hot skin, fainting) mean call 911.
After
- Keep checking on people who live alone.
Learn more: Ready.gov: Extreme heat · LA County guide (PDF)
Power outages
High winds and fire danger can lead to planned power shutoffs that last a day or more.
Before
- Keep flashlights, spare batteries and a battery or hand-crank radio.
- If someone in your home relies on powered medical equipment, have a backup plan.
- Keep your phone charged and have a battery pack.
During
- Use flashlights, not candles.
- Never run a generator or grill indoors or in a garage.
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed.
After
- When in doubt about food, throw it out.
Learn more: Ready.gov: Power outages · LA County guide (PDF)
Step 4
Build a kit. Make a plan.
Keep supplies for at least 3 days for everyone in your home, including pets. Agree on a meeting place and an out-of-state contact everyone can call.
- 01Water: one gallon per person per day, for at least 3 days
- 02Food for 3 or more days, including pet food
- 03First aid kit
- 04Flashlights and spare batteries
- 05Battery or hand-crank radio
- 06Medications and copies of prescriptions
- 07Cash and copies of important documents
- 08Clothing and sturdy shoes
- 09Tools: wrench, duct tape, gloves, whistle
- 10Hygiene supplies
Free download
LA County Emergency Survival Guide
The County's complete guide to preparing for, getting through and recovering from disasters: wildfires, storms and mudslides, earthquakes, extreme weather and more, with checklists, first aid basics and phone numbers. From the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management.
First aid
Learn the basics
The best way to be ready to help is a hands-on class. These organizations offer trusted guides and training. In an emergency, always call 911 first.
- American Red Cross: first aidGuides and classes for adults, children and babies.
- American Heart Association: Hands-Only CPRTwo steps that can save a life, with a short video.
- Stop the BleedLearn to control severe bleeding until help arrives.
- Poison ControlCall 1-800-222-1222, any time.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988 for emotional support, any time.
This page is general preparedness information, not medical or legal advice. Preparedness tips are summarized from the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management's Emergency Survival Guide and Ready.gov. Links go to outside organizations; the SCV Search & Rescue Team isn't responsible for their content. In an emergency, call 911.